WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2013 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the American Egg Board for the 2014-15 term.

Any non-exempt egg producer within the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia can be considered for nomination. Egg producers owning 75,000 or fewer laying hens are eligible for exemption. All eligible individuals are invited to convey their interest in being nominated by October 1, 2013. An egg producer must be nominated by a USDA-certified organization and submit a completed application.

USDA encourages board membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by its industry. Diversity includes gender, race, disability, length of service, and size and type of operation.

Composed of 18 members and 18 alternates representing six regions, the board administers an egg research and promotion program authorized by the Egg Research and Consumer Information Act of 1974. Terms on the board are staggered so that half of the membership is appointed each year in order to provide continuity in policy. The Secretary of Agriculture selects appointees from egg producers nominated by organizations representing the egg industry.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, authorized by Congress, and date back to 1966, when Congress passed the Cotton Research and Promotion Act. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 20 research and promotion boards. They empower farmers and ranchers to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.